Wednesday, June 1, 2016

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 4MATIC Tested: A Real Mercedes SUV

-Mercedes has euthanized the M-class. Sort of. At least the name is dead. Last year, the third-generation M-class, a.k.a. the ML, was redecorated and rechristened the GLE. The M-class name was worth shedding. Mercedes-Benz’s M-class SUV always seemed like a sop to the U.S. market. Almost two decades ago, it arrived as an amorphous blob on 16-inch wheels that was developed reluctantly and marketed half-sincerely with an appearance in the first Jurassic Park sequel. It was Mercedes playing at an American game it hadn’t fully embraced—not quite a truck but not a station wagon, either. It was one of the first crossovers as we know them now, but back then it seemed like a disingenuous attempt to horn in on the hot-selling Ford Explorer’s action. You know, the Explorer that was featured in the original Jurassic Park. READ MORE ››